| USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) | |
|---|---|
 USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) | |
| Career (US) |  |
| Namesake: | U.S. state of Kentucky |
| Ordered: | 13 August 1985 |
| Builder: | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut |
| Laid down: | 18 December 1987 |
| Launched: | 11 August 1990 |
| Sponsored by: | Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins |
| Commissioned: | 13 July 1991 |
| Homeport: | Bangor, Washington |
| Motto: | Thoroughbred Of The Fleet |
| Honors and awards: |
Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award First Place 2001 Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award First Place 2002 Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") 2006,2009 Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention 2007 |
| Status: | in active service, as of 2025[update] |
| Badge: |
 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine |
| Displacement: | |
| Length: | 560 ft (170 m) |
| Beam: | 42 ft (13 m)[1] |
| Draft: | 38 ft (12 m) |
| Propulsion: | |
| Speed: | Greater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)[3] |
| Test depth: | Greater than 800 feet (240 m)[3] |
| Complement: | |
| Armament: |
|
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737), is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1991. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Kentucky, the 15th state.
Construction and commissioning[]
The contract to build Kentucky was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 13 August 1985 and her keel was laid down there on 18 December 1987. She was launched on 11 August 1990, sponsored by Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins, who used a custom blend of Kentucky bourbon whiskey, mixed for the occasion, rather than the traditional bottle of champagne to christen Kentucky. Kentucky was commissioned on 13 July 1991, with Captain Michael G. Riegel commanding the Blue Crew and Captain Joseph Henry commanding the Gold Crew.
Service history[]
On 19 March 1998 south of Long Island, New York, Kentucky collided with the attack submarine USS San Juan (SSN-751) while the two submarines were conducting a joint training drill prior to deployment. Kentucky's rudder was damaged; San Juan's forward ballast tank was breached, but San Juan was able to surface and return to port. No personnel suffered any injuries.[citation needed] In both 2001 and 2002, Kentucky's Gold Crew won first place in the United States Atlantic Fleet in the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Submarine Afloat Galley competition for outstanding food service.[citation needed] In 2005, both the Blue and Gold Crews of Kentucky were appointed Kentucky Colonels by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher.[citation needed] Kentucky was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") for Submarine Squadron 17 for 2006 and 2009.[citation needed] Kentucky's Gold Crew was awarded a Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention for food service in 2007.[citation needed] Kentucky's Blue and Gold Crews were awarded the Omaha Trophy for service as the best ballistic missile submarine in 2009.[citation needed]
On 12 October 2011, Kentucky had its periscope above water, but was hidden below the surface when it turned onto a new course that was blocked by the Totem Ocean ship Midnight Sun. Kentucky came into close contact of about 800 meters with the freighter near British Columbia at the Juan de Fuca Strait.[4]
The ship has been featured in both the History Channel's Modern Marvels "Mega Meals" episode in 2010 and in the Smithsonian Channel's Mighty Ships in 2011.
In January 2013 the Kentucky entered its Engineering Refueling Overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.[5]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Ohio-class SSGN-726". http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/submarines/ssgn726_ohio.html. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Frost, Peter. "Newport News contract awarded". http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_subs_0424apr24,0,5810806.story. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Submarine Frequently Asked Questions". http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/faq.html. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
- ↑ Fellman, Sam (21 December 2011). "Near-miss cited in firing of sub CO". http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/12/navy-near-miss-cited-in-firing-of-kentucky-co-121911w/.
- ↑ "Submarine Squadron 19". http://www.csg9.navy.mil/Subs_Squadrons/Squadron19/Squadron19.html. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
- This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
- Photo gallery of USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) at NavSource Naval History
- "Welcome Aboard" pamphlet provided to USS Kentucky tour visitors.
| |||||||||||
The original article can be found at USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) and the edit history here.